Page 91 of Scotch on the Rocks

The confession only managed to thicken the tension so I beelined for the bed, more than ready for the release we both needed. “Bathroom’s yours.”

He returned before I’d even fully unbuttoned my shirt. Kneeling above me, he caught my wrists, pinning them to my sides. “What are you doing?”

“Taking my shirt off. Isn’t that why you came here?”

“No.” Eyes screwed tight, his head fell to my shoulder. “Fuck no.”

“Umm …ouch?”

“I didn’t mean it like that and you know it.” Pulling back, his gaze roamed me hungrily. Hands still secured in his, my shirt agape, barely covering my nipples. “Fuck, Juniper.” He released me, rebuttoning it with clumsy fingers. “I came here to tell you we should take things slow … but I didn’t know you’d look likethis.”

“I’m wearing pyjamas.”

“Exactly.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “I’ve never seen you this way. It’s doing all sorts of things for my domestic fantasies.”

Domestic fantasies?I laughed,“Do I even want to know?”

Falling back onto his heels, he scrubbed a hand over his bristled jaw. “On the threat of you discovering how thoroughly I’m obsessed with you? Probably not.”

“Now youhaveto tell me … my brain’s conjuring up all sorts ofStepford-Wives-esque movie montages.” I mock shuddered. “It’s all ‘Have a good day at work, dear’and floral dresses … I look terrible in florals. Do you want me to meet you at the door at five p.m. with a plate of freshly baked mini muffins? Because that’s where I draw the line.” When he didn’t even laugh, I poked him with my bare foot. He caught it, pulling it into his lap. “Tell me.”

“You’re a bloody menace, woman.” He sighed. “Lie on your side, I’ll show you.” I complied, flicking a saucy look over my shoulder when he settled behind me. “Mind out of the gutter, harpy. Look at the wall.”

“Bossy,” I said, even as a little thrill shot through me at this side of him I didn’t glimpse often.

“For tonight, I’m in charge.” Scooching in, his front met my back, my arse curling into his lap andhello… a very thick, very hard cock pressed back. I wriggled against it, unable to stem the instinct. Callum only curled his arm around my waist, clutching me to him until our chests rose and fell together. “This,” he whispered into my hair, voice so damn rough. “This is my favourite fantasy – where I just hold you.”

“Nothing else?” My tone called bullshit.

“Nothing else.”

“Why?” I practically exhaled the word, his meaningentirely lost on me. Men never wanted to go slow with me. Usually they hit fast forward to the ending.

“Because when something matters, you take your time with it.”

His meaning scorched through my veins:You matter, Juniper. “So we’re not having sex?”

His soft kiss to the back of my neck made my eyes burn. “Not yet, sweetheart.”

“When?”

I expected him to laugh. Instead, he kissed my pulse. “When you trust that I’m in this.” A squeeze at my hip. “When I’m certain you’re comfortable with the idea of us.”

Us. We were anus.

Ushadn’t worked out well for me, not ever.

Suddenly feeling like an exposed nerve ending, I closed my eyes, brain resetting to fight or flight mode as I reached for the cold pillow. “You shouldn’t stay the night.”

“I don’t remember setting those parameters.” Before I could argue further he flipped me onto my front, his muscled arm curling between my legs, cupping an entire cheek of arse and leveraging me half onto his chest like I was a five-pound cat and not a fully grown human.

Getting comfortable, strong arms banded around me, his nose pressing into my hair and breathing deep.He’s snuggling me. Deep down, in a dusty little part of my heart I’d locked away, was a woman who craved being cherished and somehow he’d figured that out.

If only I could turn my brain off. “Are you taking things slow because of Alistair?”

He cupped the back of my neck, thumb rubbing in a slow circle. “No.” Another circle. “I hate keeping secrets, so I’d prefer to tell him. But you’re in charge here. We tell him when you’re ready.”

“Why am I in charge? You should get a say, too.”

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